Ethan Freemantle Led The Hereford Line - Pictures From Andy Walkden
Hereford were unchanged at South Shields with a 4-2-3-1 Pond; Skinner, Howlett, captain Downing, Livingstone; Lyden, Teixiera; Mendes, Babos, Ceesay; Freemantle with Arthur, Cranston, Stanley, Rooney and Tolley. The promised sun did not appear and it was an overcast day. South Shields paid Hereford the compliment of resting five players last Saturday when they lost at Leek in the FA Cup. Yet it was Hereford who started the brighter and sharper.
Hereford were first to threaten with a beautiful move. Skinner hit a long ball to Ceesay, he flicked the ball off his heel to Ethan. Good work from Freemantle made space and he crossed to the far post for Ceesay who headed back across goal but a little too close to keeper Boney who saved. Hereford’s front four were combining well. South Shields almost scored when a perfect Hasani free kick on the right curled in behind for Martin to thunder goalward, a tip by big Curtis putting the ball on to the crossbar for a corner.
Shields showed some passing quality and a well worked move saw Lufudu bearing in on the right hand side of the box. He appeared certain to score but Pond’s speed was breathtaking narrowing the angle and blocking the shot. Hereford were pressing high and Freemantle chased hopefully. Boney sliced the ball off the side of his left boot so badly it spun backwards towards the box. Ethan tried to get on to it but went shoulder to shoulder with Boney who went down and received a foul which smacked of protecting challenges on keepers than a correct decision by referee Bancroft.
Babos Was Shown A Yellow Card After Going Down In The Area
Having surprised Shields with their high pressing and preparedness to go for goal the Bulls changed formation as half time approached. When Shields had possession the Bulls withdrew Freemantle and sat with a well organised almost 4-6-0. Those fans who were unhappy with Barnett last season up by himself with nobody around might be upset with this.
Yet the tactic worked. Shields passed the ball around the backline. Playmaker Hasani on loan from Gateshead was forced to go deeper almost like a quarterback to try and influence the game, but Hereford’s organisation made this hard. The crowd of 2,351 with about 80 from the Shire started to get a little restless. How dare the team in 16th place look as good as the team in 2nd. It was almost like Hereford having a little breather letting Shields have the ball in their half, and then the Bulls would switch and be at the Mariners again.
James tried an optimistic shot from the right outside the area. Pond had it covered but the ball moved in the air hitting his midriff when he expected to catch it. The ball bounced out across the area and Martin had an open goal but miscued the ball over the bar. Hereford probably shaded the half. Shields got more efforts on target but the Bulls had the greater threat until it came to hitting the target. Both Babos and Livingstone beat players and instead passed to players no better placed than themselves. It would be good to see strikes on goal, they may be blocked or deflected but you have to buy a ticket to win the lottery.
At half time it started to rain and the pitch cut up a little. Freemantle won a free kick which Babos just curled wide from the left side just outside the box. Shields neat passing saw Martin in behind Skinner on the left. He appeared well placed to shoot or cross for a tap in. Howkins was struggling to get across. Suddenly Lyden appeared and schooled Martin. He just shepherded him towards the byline, totally closing down a dangerous situation. It was an outstanding piece of football intelligence reading the game, sensing the danger and snuffing it out.
Ceesay had his best match yet despite not scoring. He had a right old tussle with Lufudu all afternoon long. The Shields right back sometimes plays as a wing back and is a talented player. It probably was honours even and it was a joy to see a winger - full back contest over ninety minutes. Yusifu’s defensive work was notably ahead of some who have played wide for the Bulls this season. He cut inside Lufudu and shot wide of the far post.
Ceesay With A Shot
A neat control, turn and release by Freemantle freed Ceesay who had switched to the right. He bore in on goal drawing defenders and looked like he should feed Babos in the middle. Yusifu fired hard for the top corner and Boney at full stretch tipped the ball over for a corner. Then Babos roamed forward into the box beating defenders on the left. He seemed to be lightly challenged and went down. He was booked for diving. This seemed harsh. There was contact. Maybe Alex was making the most of it, but he had reason to go down and he was clearly very unhappy with the decision.
Tolley came on for Mendes who had a solid game. Freemantle was booked for a foul on Clarke. Shields took off Hasani, bringing on Clarke. It was a mark of how well the Bulls had controlled the game that the Mariners withdrew their vaunted midfielder. Shields then brought on Gomes and Woods for Blackett and Abbey.
Blackett was booked for a foul. Arthur came on for Freemantle. Ethan was much improved today, far more integrated into the side. He works the backline and showed several nice touches. He produced the pass of the day. Central in the Shields half he produced a no look pass to the left into acres of space. Livingstone was caught by surprise, Freemantle had put enough spin on the ball for it to check and hold up so that Adam was able to get to the ball and continue the attack.
Gomes on the right fired on target but Kyle blocked it, the ball spinning up and landing on top of the netting. Hereford were now slowing the game down. Lyden had cramped up but more concerning was Howkins who seemed to be doing hamstring stretching exercises at every opportunity. Perhaps the Bulls did not make a third change in case a player had to come off.
Finally Shields were getting the better of the game but it was too late. Tolley played in Arthur in the box. Kobi controlled well, but his second touch was heavier and he ran into a defender and went down, rightly booked for a pathetic attempt to win a penalty. Finally a hopeful shot from Clarke squirmed through Pond’s hands spinning on to the post, Curtis clasping the rebound. Woods was booked at the end.
Yellow Card For Arthur
This was the Bulls best performance of the season so far. The Bulls looked as fit as the full timers. Caddis has made some very shrewd signings. Ceesay was a constant threat. Downing coasts through the game and when Shields tried to press it was neat triangles often with Howkins to Downing, a neat clip and Skinner or Livingstone were in space and away. At other times the captain passes like a midfielder through the lines. A recovery tackle in the box in the first half was outstanding.
Best of all was Jordan Lyden the finest player on the field. His short passing is precise and he offered many longer options which although they did not always come off if Freemantle can learn to read Jordan’s intentions could be deadly. It is Jordan’s play out of possession which is even more influential not only organising, but constantly screening and anticipating, reading the game and closing down the other sides options. He struggled to make it through the ninety minutes but gritted his teeth through clear pain. A warrior.
The game was very entertaining helped by referee Bancroft allowing lots of advantages, clear communication to players on when they were on the verge of being booked and letting an enjoyable physical aspect to the game. He made a few wrong calls but improved the entertainment. This looked like two top six sides going at each other and marginally the Bulls looked the better but the draw was fair. The Mariners motto is Always Ready. They seemed to underestimate the Bulls expecting a straight forward game against the team in 16th place. Perhaps they were not ready, the Bulls were. This augurs very well for the future.